It was a long time coming for Washington’s Ethan Zieglowsky. The standout bowler came so close to his ultimate goal of state in each of his first three years of high school, only to find himself on the outside looking in. On Tuesday, the senior was able to change that narrative and see the fruits of his labor shine through by becoming the first boys bowler in school history to punch his ticket to the big dance.

Zieglowsky was one of four to move on at a class 1A state qualifier in Camanche with a three game series score of 634. That tally tied with Camanche’s Keaton Hines for the runner-up spot and they were just one off the winner in Benton’s Ethan Hepker with a 635. Zieglowsky started the day with a 193 first game, followed by the highest round out of anyone with a 242 second, and finished up with a 199 to secure his spot at state. He tells KCII Sports how he was feeling in the lead up to the awards ceremony. “The nerves in the 10 minute wait we had until they got the final scores in was overwhelming. As soon as they said the lowest score of the top four I knew immediately that I was in. It was the biggest feeling of relief in my entire life.”

Washington finished fourth out of five as a team with a score of 2,427 compared to first place Camanche with 2,921. Ethan’s younger brother Caleb Zieglowsky finished in 10th with a 537 series, Quentin Howard knocked down 437 pins, Cole Anderson managed 422, and Ismat Abdurahimov recorded a 396. The Washington girls had three bowlers that tallied a final score of 1,034. Leigha Heisdorffer collected a 390 series, Tatum Peterson finished with a 296, and Emma Chenoweth managed a 275.

Zieglowsky will compete at state on Tuesday at Maple Lanes Bowling Center in Waterloo. Listen to our entire interview with the JET Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week below. 

Photo Courtesy of Jason Farmer